We have come to the end of our first week of the online discussion and it’s been pretty interesting. The week’s topic for discussion was the Gender Digital Divide in Nigeria.

Brenda Zulu kicked off the week with her post, sharing her experiences as a journalist and covering ICT-related issues on the continent. She spoke about how women were often invited to “add color” to the events, unable to make any meaningful inputs. since then, she has seen women engaging with ICTs in a deeper way, citing among others an example of women in a district of Zambia using mobile phones to market their agricultural produce.

I explored the concept of the gender digital divide and also listed strategies to address this divide, including introducing science and technology education to girls from a young age; making ICT information more relevant to women and girls; women getting involved as information facilitators and instructors, and also in helping to influence policy.

Toyin Ajao-Dawodu moved the discussion further, by examing ways in which ICTs - particularly blogging - can improve women and girls’ quality of life. This includes providing an avenue for activm, information gathering and sharing, networking and helping women in business market their goods or products.

Although not a mentor for this week, Frederick Noronha shared his own experiences using ICTs, tracing his development from his early days of using email to his current uses of web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, social bookmarking tools, and creating video podcasts.

This week, Frederick, together with Jayne Craven and Takiela Bynum will discuss the Use of Web 2.0 for development (Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, etc).

Frederick Noronha is an independent journalist based in Saligao, Goa, India. He is active in cyberspace and involved with e-ventures involving Goa, developmental concerns and free software.

Jayne Craven is an internationally-recognized professional in public and press relations, marketing (from grass roots to international efforts), volunteer management, corporate community relations and online communications for mission-based organizations.

Takiela Bynum is the visionary for the online women’s ministry, HisBeauty4Ashes.org – Strengthening the Purpose of Women Everywhere.

Thanks to everyone for all their input this week and we’re looking forward to even more exciting and enlightening discussions this week.

Ore